This Day in History: 23 February 2020
23 February 1885
135 years ago, today, a 19-year old man, named John Lee, was sent to the gallows in Exeter for the murder of Ellen Keyse, a rich, older woman whom he had previously worked for. He continuously said he was innocent, but Lee was still sentenced to death by hanging. However, after the noose was put around his neck and the lever were pulled, something malfunctioned, and Lee was not dropped. The equipment was found to be in working order, and the hanging was even attempted two more times, but nothing happened when the lever was pulled once again. Lee was therefore sent back to prison.
On November 15, 1884, the previous year, Keyse had been found dead in a pantry next to Lee's room, with her head severely battered and her throat cut. It was thought that the alleged motive was Lee's resentment towards Keyse's awful treatment, although there was no direct evidence of his guilt. The authorities were astounded at the malfunction, and so described it as an act of God. Lee was then removed from death row, and he spent the next 22 years in prison. The cause of Lee's remarkable escape was never discovered.
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